Tag Archives: tools we use

We deal with a number of systems here at iSupportU. Many of our clients bring in older systems that they’ve had for several years. Often a system optimization or malware scan & clean will resolve issues with system reliability or performance. When our diagnosis and troubleshooting moves beyond software issues, we have to open up the computer and take a look inside.

Heat can be a major contributing factor to system instability. Dust and pet hair are common finds inside of fans, heatsinks and all of the other nooks and crannies inside a desktop PC. One client brought in a desktop system laden with pet hair. I was accurate in my guess that he had at least two dogs or cats as I blasted their collective sheddings from his system. Yes, you can be allergic to some computers!

During an onsite visit with another client, I opened a non-booting computer to find piles of dust, dirt and sand. The machine had enjoyed a former residence in New Mexico and managed to hold on to a little bit of the desert. Cleaning that system resulted in a dust storm that rivaled the atmospheric disruptions of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano.

Volcanic Ash Cloud

Other times, after we’ve determined that fans are spinning smoothly and that intermittent system freezes and shutdowns are not related to software or heat (see thermal shutdown) we start looking for bad capacitors. A capacitor is a handy electrical component that stores electrical “juice” until needed. A more thorough description can be enjoyed via HowStuffWorks. While any electrical component can fail, there is a plague of bad capacitors that has had a significant impact on all sorts of electrical components.

While capacitor plague largely affects desktop computer hardware, this problem is by no means limited to that area. These capacitors can also be found in some cameras, network switches, audio equipment, DVD players, and a range of other devices[1].

We’ve seen a number of PC motherboards come through our shop and we’ve also taken apart a few large LCD televisions with our friends at Boulder Community Computers to find bad capacitors lurking.

Bad Capacitors at iSU: The left line of capacitors are bulging at the top with signs of electrolytic compound having leaked out. The line on the right are still good.

Just what makes a capacitor bad? It isn’t the components it hangs out with after school, nor is it the capacitor’s moral and ethical values. Most likely the problem stems from quality control issues during the manufacture process and the bad components find their way into the supply chain. A more intriguing explanation points to industrial espionage gone wrong as “several Taiwanese electrolyte manufacturers began using a stolen formula that was incomplete, and lacked ingredients needed to produce a stable capacitor.[1]”

What does all of this mean for your system if we find bad capacitors? It points to eventual failure of your computer along with increasing issues with stability and reliability. While the bad capacitors can be removed and your motherboard or power supply repaired, the cost of doing said typically outweighs the value of an older system and replacement of the failing component or system as a whole is the best option.

We share our clients’ frustration when this is the case and do our best to help with migrating/recovering data and any usable components from their systems. We are also there to help with selecting a new computer when warranted.

If your business is anything like ours, voicemail matters. We’d love to answer every phone call, but sometimes people call during off hours or while we’re on the phone with someone else.

Traditional voicemail systems suck, however. Using the phone to access an inbox is a terrible form of human-machine interaction, especially if you’re used to the quickness of email. I don’t want to “press 1 to hear new messages”; I want the messages to appear in front of me.

Enter Google Voice. This amazing web app, part of the Google Apps suite of online software, manages our voicemail for us on the web. Every message left is transcribed for quick reading, then emailed to every member of our staff.

Because a message left hanging can quickly turn a current customer into a past customer, it’s essential that someone on our team get back to every voicemail left as quickly as possible. But once that team member calls back, how do the other members know not to call back themselves?

Simple: we respond to the voicemails to reach quickly everyone in the company. Sometimes we’ll summarize the conversation, sometimes we’ll request someone else call the individual and sometimes we’ll simply say the conversation’s happened and all is well. The point is the entire the team, wherever in town their bikes may have taken them, knows what’s going on.

Sound complicated? It isn’t. We can set this up for your business, and even train your staff to use it properly. Give us a call or contact us for more information. Google Voice is just one part of a suite of software that will change the way you do business, for the better.

Why iSU is Different

Happy Customers

Truly Outstanding Service! I called at 6:54, expecting to get a machine with a listing of business hours. When Tim found out I needed a new iPhone screen (mine literally cracked less than an hour ago) he told me to come on in because their iPhone guy would be out the next day. I walked in, they set to work and handed me a beer (I’m over 21). I’m typing this while they fix my phone just steps away. Great and beyond friendly service.Alissa

I have had a number of fantastic interactions with iSupportU, most recently when they replaced the glass on my iPad, which I dropped and cracked. They are helpful, informative, kept me up-to-date and did a fantastic job. I put a review in once before as did the friend who recommended them to me, which for some reason, aren’t showing up on Yelp. Not sure why not–these guys are great and it’s a shame that only the poor reviews show!Erika W.

iSupportU redid our website, and we are thrilled with the results. Our conversions have increased 10-fold, our new website does a much better job of communicating what we do, and we’re growing our business rapidly as a result.Jim H.

iSupportU has been such a lifesaver for me. I broke my leg running down Red Rocks trail and was laid out for weeks. They graciously fixed my iphone in less than an hour and gave me a loaner computer to use while I was immobile, which as you can imagine, totally saved me from the doom of boredom. Obviously, iSupportU is a great part of the local community with exceptional customer service and the ability to adapt to your personalized needs. Thank you iSupportU!Lindsey W.

The folks at iSupportU rock! I was on the verge of buying a brand new computer bc I didn’t have the knowledge base to diagnose and repair all the problems my beloved macbook was facing. However with a few quick repairs performed by iSupportU’s knowledgeable staff my computer is now working perfectly. They can be counted on to tell you what’s the most economical and effective solution to whatever tech problem you are facing vs. what will garner them the most business. Finding great tech support is like finding a great mechanic. You want reliable and honest service and iSupportU is just that.Lisa C.

iSupportU is an amazing local resource for all my tech needs. I have been there on several different occasions varying from getting my iphone repaired after dropping it and shattering the glass to getting a new hard drive installed in my Macbook- making me feel like I had just received a brand new laptop for a much lower price than the cost of a new computer. The staff is always welcoming, friendly and professional. Next time you need some tech love, do yourself a favor and check these guys out!D.W.

My experience with iSupportU was quick, easy, and successful. My laptop had stopped working and I took it in to be diagnosed and repaired. They helped me at the counter, were really knowledgeable, took time to explain things to me, and ended up fixing the problem on the spot. I’ve been to other IT service and computer repair shops before and this is the best experience I’ve had so far. Quick, easy, friendly, and most importantly my problem was solved. You really can’t ask for much more and it is great to support a local small business too.
I would definitely recommend these guys to anyone who needs a personal computer repair/service. I’m not sure why Yelp seems to have just negative reviews but check out their other reviews online and you’ll see most everyone has had a positive expe…Kyle K.

We had been using another Boulder company for our networking needs but they changed their business model and coud no longer support us. So we were looking for a local business to help us with our new computer system installation. Our previous service company recommended iSupportU. After reading the only (three) reviews on yelp that weren’t filtered, we were very relucant to use iSupportU. We even tried to get additional recommendations. But in the end, we met with Shaun and after talking to him about his rotten yelp experience, decided to take a chance. We’re really glad that we did. The reviews that yelp considers “filtered” aren’t filtered at all. This is a fantastic company with superior service. They have fulfilled every part of their contract with us and all technicians that we ha…Into T.

These guys are amazingly competent, efficient and charge extremely fair prices for computer repair and support – bravo! I’ve used them several times in the past year for iphone repair, website design, laptop repair, and for switching my business over to google. Fixing a broken computer is similar to fixing a car – it’s a challenge for the mechanic to know what the problem is until they poke around and do some testing. They were timely with all work I brought in to them. They can also save your old computer from a landfill – bring it here for them to recycle it for you. I definitely recommend these guys for your repair needs. Take a pass and keep it local!Natalia M.

I recently switched to Apple after years of IBM/windows and like many people the switch was alot to learn and alot of different buttons to push, the isupportU guys got all my stuff switched and reoriented in Apple and got me up and running no problem. After that I had a few minor problems w/battery broken screens and they helped me fix it all including new hard drive and battery replacement when needed. Up until I met the IsupportU guys, all my computer help came from my buddy Dan in Miami. Not to workable. Isupportu guys are around the corner and always available to help with my deadlines, disasters and system improvement. I save a lot of Shipping to Miami!John B.